Description: This lively introduction to measure theory and Lebesgue integration is motivated by the historical questions that led to its development. The author stresses the original purpose of the definitions and theorems, highlighting the difficulties mathematicians encountered as these ideas were refined. The story begins with Riemann's definition of the integral, and then follows the efforts of those who wrestled with the difficulties inherent in it, until Lebesgue finally broke with Riemann's definition. With his new way of understanding integration, Lebesgue opened the door to fresh and productive approaches to the previously intractable problems of analysis.
Review Quotes: "Bressoud is an insightful writer, and he presents this material in an enchanting fashion. The writing is scholarly but inviting, rigorous but readable. There are heaps of exercises, and they are quite accessible. I know of no other source with such a wealth of information about the genesis of the modern integral concept. This book will be valuable for mathematicians, for scholars of mathematical history, and certainly for students."
Steven G. Krantz, American Institute of Mathematics for The UMAP Journal